Background and aims

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare tumours with an incidence of 3.5/100,000 per year in the last decade [1, 2]. Patients with NET may experience various symptoms from the tumour mass, the output of hormones secreted by the tumour, treatment and accompanying side effects [3]. Patients are frequently metastasized at the time of diagnosis. Patients with metastasized NETs have a relatively long median survival: 100 months for NETs of the small intestine and 60 months for pancreatic NETs [4]. Patients with NET have a lower quality of life (QoL) compared with the general population [5]. For patients with NET it is difficult to find meaningful and understandable information about their diagnosis. Anxiety, higher depression, and stress negatively influenced QoL in patients with NET. Self-efficacy, more social support and optimism are associated with better QoL [6]. Previous research in cancer patients and cancer survivors has consistently shown that high satisfaction with the information received and satisfied information needs were related to better quality of life and lower emotional distress for anxiety and depression [7, 8]. Furthermore internet-based support programs are effective in improving psychosocial and physical symptoms in cancer patients [9]. In addition, in an observational study of NET patients using qualitative interviews, 7 out of 18 patients found the internet to be a useful source of general information [10].

We previously developed a web-based personalised information and support system (WINS), for patients with NETs with the aim of reducing distress and/or improving patients’ perception of and satisfaction with information received.

A pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of using WINS in patients with NET [11]. Based on these results and on patients’ recommendations, we developed the current version of WINS, which was used in the present study. The aim of this randomised trial is to determine whether WINS reduces distress and/or improves NETs patients’ perception of and satisfaction with information received.

Results

Patients

Between May 2015 and October 2016, we included 105 patients in the study (Fig. 1). The trial was ended when 91 patients completed the study. Of the 91 patients who completed the study, 46 (12 newly diagnosed) patients were randomised to the intervention group. Baseline characteristics of included patients are shown in Table 1. At baseline, 78 patients had previously visited the internet for information on NET before randomisation. At baseline, 50 patients stated that they wanted to receive more information compared to 31 at end of study. At baseline, 4 patients answered that they would prefer to receive less information. At the end of study no patients gave this answer.

Fig. 1
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Consort diagram

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Table 1 Baseline characteristics
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Primary outcomes

The median distress level in both groups was 3 before and after study (Tables 2, 3). A significant difference in distress was found for only the domain ‘social problems’; at end of study 12 patients in the control group of 45, reported social problems compared to 7 patients at baseline. Four patients at end of study in the intervention group of 46 patients, compared to 10 patients at baseline were found to have social problems (p < 0.01). The median global score for patients’ perception of and satisfaction with information received, did not improve in the intervention group relative to the control group (Tables 2, 4). Interestingly, 53 and 57% of patients in the control and intervention group wish to receive more information, respectively. After the intervention less patients in the control group (31%) wished to receive more information versus the patients in the intervention group (38%).

Table 2 Primary outcome, distress and global score of perceived information and satisfaction (EORTC QLQ-INFO25)
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Table 3 Distress (Distress thermometer and Problem List)
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Table 4 Perceived information and satisfaction (EORTC QLQ-INFO25)
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Most patients agreed with the statements mentioned in the additional questionnaire (Table 5). During the study, the median number of visits to the website was 3 (range 2–4), and only 3 patients used the opportunity to ask questions and consult with the researcher for clinical purposes. Other questions were about technical or logistical aspects.

Table 5 Questionnaire based on patients’ opinion and use of the website (based on constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model)
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Newly diagnosed patients

The planned subgroup analysis for newly diagnosed patients did not detect any difference in this subgroup regarding the global score for distress and the problem domains (Additional file 1 and Additional file 2: Tables S1 and S2).

In this subgroup, perceived information and satisfaction did not differ between the control group and intervention group. We found a difference for only one item, ‘information about the disease in the QLQ-INFO25’; after 12 weeks this score decreased in the intervention group and increased in the control group (p = 0.046). Most patients agreed with the statements on the self-constructed questionnaire (Additional file 1 and Additional file 2: Table S5).

Discussion

In this randomised trial we found that WINS did not reduce distress nor improved NETs patients’ perception of and satisfaction with information received. We found the same results in the pre-planned subgroup analyses with newly diagnosed patients.

Developing a web-based system (WBS) providing patient detailed information corresponding to their individual needs and wishes is difficult [12]. The contact and communication with health care professionals remains a crucial source of information and support for patients with NET. Other web-based studies have shown that web-based technology does not replace patient-provider communication [13]. In one such study, in which 103 cancer patients received questionnaires about the WBS, the highest rated component was receiving an answer from a nurse. In another trial in 766 patients receiving chemotherapy for solid cancers, patients were randomised to either standard care or to standard care plus a web-based self-reporting system. Physicians received symptom printouts at visits and nurses received e-mail alerts when participants of the intervention group reported severe or worsening symptoms. In this trial, QoL improved (34% vs. 18%; p < 0.001) and OS was higher (31 vs. 26 months; p = 0.03) in the intervention group compared to the group receiving standard care only [14]. Another example, that web-based technology does not replace patient-provider communication, was presented in a randomised controlled study of a website providing additional information and symptom self-management support in 325 breast and prostate cancer patients. Distress was used as the primary endpoint [15]. Compared to the control group, which was given uniform resource locators (URLs) of publically available cancer information websites, an improvement for patients in the intervention group was found only on the subscale ‘global distress index’.

A potential explanation for these findings could be that NET patients obtain sufficient information by usual care that all patients received. In our trial all patients had easy access to specialists and nurses during standard care, which might have satisfied their need for information. Furthermore, patients were able to get information from the NET patient association [16]. We did not use a control group receiving no information which can be regarded as a limitation of our study.

At baseline half of the patients in both groups indicated that they wanted more information about the disease. During study period, the need for more information decreased in both groups. A decline in the need for information during the course of the disease was observed in other studies analysing patients with other types of cancer [17, 18]. Furthermore, patients only visited the WBS sporadically. Patients were not requested to visit the website more frequent, which also could be seen as a limitation. Sporadically visiting a WBS was also reported in other trials using a WBS [15, 19]. In a qualitative interview study, one of the three main reasons reported for not using a WBS was that patients had sufficient access to information elsewhere [20]. In two other studies, in patients with cancer and brain tumours, patients reported that they avoided using the WBS because they did not want to be reminded of their suffering or, because they had a preference for other kinds of communication [20, 21].

Another limitation is that we could only analyze patients with outcome data on the second assessment, as the primary endpoint was the pre-post change of distress and satisfaction with perceived information. For that, the 14 (13%) of the patients who withdrew early, or who did not complete the end-of-study questionnaires were excluded from the analysis.

Conclusion

In NET patients, WINS did not improve distress scores and patients’ perception of or satisfaction with information received, compared to patients receiving standard care only. Despite the need for more information, the WINS does not have added value to the information and care provided by health care professionals.

Methods

Participants

Eligible participants were adult patients treated at the University Medical Centre Groningen Department of Medical Oncology for NET grade 1 or 2 (World Health Organization 2010 classification) with the primary tumour at any site of origin, and who were proficient in Dutch (both reading and writing). Patients with a life expectancy of less than 3 months as evaluated by their doctor were excluded. The study was approved by the medical ethical committee of the UMCG and registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02472678). All patients gave written informed consent.

Randomisation process and study procedure

For a detailed description of study procedures, see Additional file 1 and Fig. 1. The included patients were stratified randomised for those diagnosed within 6 months and those with disease duration ≥6 months. Patients were randomised 1:1 to the control group, receiving standard care, or the intervention group, which received standard care with additional access to WINS. At baseline patients’ socio-demographic and disease characteristics, internet use and health care use were collected. Patients in both groups received a questionnaire about their perception of and satisfaction with the received information and their QoL. The control group was also given a questionnaire about distress and problems. After returning the questionnaires, patients in the intervention group received log-in information for website access. At the first website visit, the patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about distress and problems at baseline, before they were given access to the other items on the website. At 12 weeks follow-up, all patients were asked to complete the questionnaires again, with an additional questionnaire to asses empowerment. Patients in the intervention group were asked to complete the questionnaire about distress and problems at the WINS instead of completing it with pen and paper. Furthermore, they were requested to complete an additional questionnaire about their use of and opinion about WINS.

Standard care and study intervention

All patients received standard care. At their first visit at the Department of Medical Oncology patients are informed verbally about the disease and they meet the oncology nurse to become acquainted. During follow-up visits, the medical oncologist evaluates the general well-being, discusses possible treatment options and treatment side-effects (if applicable) and answers questions of the patient. Between follow-up visits all patients could consult an oncology nurse 24 h a day, 7 days a week by telephone. Furthermore, patients were able to get information from the NET patient association [16]. If physical and/or psychosocial problems require more in-depth discussion, investigation or treatment, patients can receive a consultation with the oncology nurse, oncologist or other health care professionals.

In the intervention group, the questionnaire about distress and problems served as a self-screening tool for physical and psychosocial problems. By using WINS, patients could obtain personalised information about reported problems. Self-screening was performed by the online version of the Dutch Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List (PL). Immediately after completion of the DT and PL. Patients received online information on the physical and psychosocial problems they reported on the digital PL. This information comprises: a) description and background information of their reported problem b) advice on how to cope with the problem (self-help) c) what health care professional could be consulted when self-help insufficiently alleviates problems. On the WINS, patients could also find general information about the disease, read about the experiences of other NET patients and find links to other relevant websites. Any time, patients could send an e-mail with a question or request a telephone consultation with the investigators (physicians experienced in treating NET patients) in case of questions, problems or request further referral’.

Outcome measurements

Illness-related patient characteristics were extracted from the medical records at baseline. All other measurements were performed by self-report questionnaires. Selection of endpoints was based on the results of the pilot study [11]. According to our pre planned protocol our primary endpoint was the combined endpoint of distress the change in distress level combined with change in global score of perception of and satisfaction with information received. Distress was measured using the validated Dutch Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem list (PL) [22]. This questionnaire consisted of one single item that asks patients to indicate the amount of overall distress experienced during the past week and a PL with several items divided into five domains. Higher scores indicate more distress or more problems. The EORTC QLQ-INFO25 in Dutch was used to evaluate patients’ perception of and satisfaction with information received [23]. Higher scores indicate better perceived information provision. The measures of the validated QLQ-INFO25 are categorized and scored according to the EORTC guidelines. For a more detailed descripition of the questionnaires, see our pilot study. An additional questionnaire, only given to the intervention group at end of study was based on the constructs of ‘perceived usefulness’ and ‘attitude and usage’ from the revised Technology Acceptance Model and on a self-constructed question on a 5-point likert scale; if patients recommend WINS to other NET patients [24].

Sample size calculation

Sample size calculation was based on the results of the pilot study, in which only newly diagnosed patients were included. To detect a significant difference in the change of the distress thermometer between the control and intervention group, using an independent t-test with an effect size of 0.6, we calculated that 90 patients had to be included (Additional file 1). Taking into account a dropout of 15%, we included 105 patients in this study,

Statistical analysis

For descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation (sd) for normal distribution and median and interquartile range for other distributions and frequencies were calculated for all measures. The scores of the EORTC questionnaires were calculated according to the EORTC guidelines [23, 25, 26]. An independent t-test or Mann Whitney U test was performed, depending on the kind of distribution, to detect differences between the pre-post changes of standard care complemented with the WINS versus standard care alone. Given the negative findings of the outcome we did not correct for multiple comparison issues. Subgroup analysis was performed in newly diagnosed patients. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. Analyses were performed with the software package SPSS, version 23 for Windows (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Patients who were lost to follow up were excluded from analysis.